HALLOWEEN 2006

Halloween was exhausting, but the kids had soooo much fun. We went to our usual Halloween party/costume contest at the Ontario City community center, then back home for lots of trick-or-treating fun. We thought we'd have the kids walk this year, and we didn't take a stroller or wagon. Big mistake. Malena was tired and wanted me to hold her from the second house. But she did great. Every time people gave her a candy, she'd reach back into their bowl to grab a handful. I must've said, "I'm sorry" to every neighbor on the block, but of course, with that sweet face, she always got more. Smart cookie. The boys loved knocking on the doors and especially loved getting candy, but believe it or not, they actually got sick of all that candy and were ready to call it quits about half way down the block.


They each had two costumes because the first ones didnt last the four events we had. First, was the costume day at school, then our cousin's party.












then they were Pirates for the costume parade at the city and for trick-or-treating.

The Pumpkin Patch

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WHEN I GROW UP

The other day, just for fun, I asked the boys, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I was sure they wouldn't know what this meant. Joshua said, "I want to be a doctor." I was so proud. I told him that's very nice, and he would be a good doctor like the ones who fixed his heart. He was so happy and all smiles. Then I looked at Jacob. "What do you want to be when you grow up, Jacob?" He answered, "A clown."

"What the Heck"

This is what Jacob exclaimed leaving pre-school today. In shock, I asked him what he said and he repeated it. I stopped right there on the sidewalk and told him those were bad words and not to use them again. I was not disciplining him, just correcting him, but he gave me the shy look and turned away like he does when I'm disciplining him. Hours later, at home, he said it again. Both were used in the correct context, so I know he knows what it means. Again I corrected him, and asked him to use nice words like, "excuse me". About half an hour later, he used it AGAIN and he had a time out. When I retrieved him from time out, I reminded him he was not to use bad words and he said, "excuse me." Not thinking, I said, "I said not to use bad words." Then realized he was telling me the words I told him to use. So I gave him a big hug, and told him yes and he was happy. Anybody have any suggestions to replace these "bad" words that have somehow become part of my son's vocabulary?

Little Mommy



Malena has just grown so much in the past few months. Both physically and cognitively. The other day I was washing dishes while the kids were playing in various parts of the house. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Malena throwing away something in the trash (a big cognitive accomplishment in itself for her). When I went to see what it was, it was a diaper. It was clean, but it was all bundled up like I do when I clean their dirty diapers. Then I followed her back to the ottomon (our changing table since they were born) to find her with her doll all layed out on a blanket. then she grabbed some wipes and began "cleaning" the doll, then grabbed a diaper and tried to put it on by pulling the legs up. No, she didn't accomplish the entire task, but this entire step by step task is an incredibly big milestone for her. Just a few months ago, she didn't seem to even understand what a diaper was for.

Tonight, she took her little bear upstairs with her for bed. Before bed is time for brushing teeth. she set her little bed next to the sink and began to put the brush up to his mouth. Just soooo sweet. This from the little girl who would throw her head back and throw her arms around at me just trying to attempt to put the toothbrush in her mouth a few months ago. She loves her little babies, and oh, do I love mine!

NEW LINKS

Just wanted to mention the new September pictures are in the Picture links, and I've also added a kind of portfolio section. One link to my portraits, another to my cards. Hope you enjoy it all!

Thirst Quencher?

Well the boys have "discovered" a new drink. Usually, I give them a choice of apple juice or milk. Joshua usually says milk and Jacob usually opts for apple juice. Well, one day Joshua said he wanted milk. Not to miss out on what Joshua was having, Jacob said, "Milk and apple juice." Not understanding, I asked, "Which one?" "Milk and apple juice." I poured him the juice, thinking he didn't know what he was talking about, and sure enough he yelled as I was closing the cup, "No Mommy, milk with apple juice. Put milk in!" Thinking he would be as grossed out by it as I was when he drank it, I gave it to him, thinking I was going to have to spill it all out and start over. Nope, he got the biggest smile on his face, gulped it down and said, "thank you, Mommy." Yuck. Apparently, I'm not the only one confused by this, as our wonderful babysitter ("cousin Rachael") called me from home on date night to make sure they knew what they were talking about. They told her Mommy makes it for them and she just couldn't believe it, so she told them she had to call Mommy for the recipe. :) I guess I shouldn't be surprised with Alex as their father. He has the weirdest taste buds I've ever seen!